• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.1263-1269
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• 2010

This study was performed to evaluate the antioxidant activities and anti-asthma effects of Morus bark water extracts. Inhibitory effect of Morus bark onto free radical generation was determined by measuring DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities in vitro. Anti-asthma activities of Morus bark water extracts were assessed by testing their effects on the degranulation of mast cell. For this, $\beta$-hexosaminidase released from a basophilic cell line, RBL-2H3 was used and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The antioxidant activities of water extracts of Morus bark was 59.2% in the DPPH assay at $2,000\;{\mu}g/mL$ and 78.8% in the hydroxyl radical scavenging assay at $2,000\;{\mu}g/mL$. Our results indicated that Morus bark water extracts effectively inhibited free radical generation. Morus bark water extracts inhibited inflammation-mediating substances such as histamine and $\beta$-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells. Cytokine release demonstrated a more effective blockading ability of the Morus bark water extracts to the release of IL-4 and TNF-$\alpha$ compared to control. These results demonstrate that Morus bark may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic inflammatory disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.3
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• pp.165-178
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• 2016

Background: Although recent metagenomic approaches have characterized the distinguished microbial compositions in airways of asthmatics, these results did not reach a consensus due to the small sample size, non-standardization of specimens and medication status. We conducted a metagenomics approach by using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of the induced whole sputum representing both the cellular and fluid phases in a relative large number of steroid $na{\ddot{i}}ve$ asthmatics. Methods: Induced whole sputum samples obtained from 36 healthy subjects and 89 steroid-$na{\ddot{i}}ve$ asthma patients were analyzed through T-RFLP analysis. Results: In contrast to previous reports about microbiota in the asthmatic airways, the diversity of microbial composition was not significantly different between the controls and asthma patients (p=0.937). In an analysis of similarities, the global R-value showed a statistically significant difference but a very low separation (0.148, p=0.002). The dissimilarity in the bacterial communities between groups was 28.74%, and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) contributing to this difference were as follows: OTU 789 (Lachnospiraceae), 517 (Comamonadaceae, Acetobacteraceae, and Chloroplast), 633 (Prevotella), 645 (Actinobacteria and Propionibacterium acnes), 607 (Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus otakiensis, Lactobacillus sunkii, and Rhodobacteraceae), and 661 (Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Leptotrichiaceae), and they were significantly more prevalent in the sputum of asthma patients than in the sputum of the controls. Conclusion: Before starting anti-asthmatic treatment, the microbiota in the whole sputum of patients with asthma showed a marginal difference from the microbiota in the whole sputum of the controls.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.277-280
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• 2000

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2007

This review summarizes the cause of allergy and control by lactic acid bacteria. Atopic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, eczema and food allergy have increased in most industrialized countries of the world during the last 20 years. The reasons for this increase are not clear and different hypotheses have been assessed including increased exposure to sensitizing allergens or decreased stimulation of the immune system during critical periods of development. Probiotic bacteria, which beneficially affect the host by improving its microbial balance, may mediate anti-allergenic effects by immune stimulation. Although more clinical evidences are required, the possible role of specific LAB strains in the prevention of allergic diseases has become more evident. since the role of functional food is important for prevention, it is expected for the more anti-allergy fermented milk products to be on the market.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2013

Atopic dermatitis is a recurrent or chronic eczematous skin disease with severe pruritus and has annually increased in Korea. In this study, we investigated whether Duchesnea chrysantha (Dc) extracts have an anti-inflammatory effect in human monocytic THP-1 cells and human eosinophilic EoL-1 cells. The dried and powdered whole plants of Dc were extracted with 80% EtOH (Dc-1). The residue was diluted with water, and then successively partitioned with n-hexane, EtOAc, and BuOH to produce the n-hexane (Dc-2), EtOAc (Dc-3), BuOH (Dc-4), and the water-soluble fractions (Dc-5), respectively. The mite extract and LPS increased the production of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 in THP-1 cells and the increase was strongly suppressed by Dc-3 extract, as compare with other extracts. Dc-3 also inhibited the release of IL-6 increased by mite extract and LPS in EoL-1 cells. However, Dc-3 extract increased IL-8 production induced by the mite extract and LPS in EoL-1 cells. These results suggest that Dc extract may be used as anti-inflammatory agents in treating allergic disorders such as asthma and atopic dermatitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.469-474
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• 2016

Liriopogons (Liriope and Opiopogon) species are used as a main medicinal ingredient in several Asian countries. The Liriopes Radix (tuber, root of Liriope platyphylla) has to be a promising candidate due to their source of phytochemicals. Steroidal saponins and their glycosides, phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites are considered of active constituents in Liriopes Radix. Spicatoside A, a steroidal saponin, could be more efficacious drug candidate in future. In this review, we summarized the available knowledge on phytochemical and pharmacological activities for spicatoside A. It significantly suppressed the level of NF-${\kappa}B$, NO, iNOS, Cox-2, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and MAPKs in LPS-stimulated inflammation. The production of MUC5AC mucin was increased. MMP-13 expression was down-regulated in IL-$1{\beta}$-treated cells and reduced glycosaminoglycan release from IL-$1{\alpha}$-treated cells. The neurite outgrowth activity, PI3K, Akt, ERK1/2, TrkA and CREB phosphorylation and neurotropic factors such as NGF and BDNF were upregulated with increased latency time. It also showed cell growth inhibitory activity on various carcinoma cells. From this, spicatoside A exerts anti-inflammation, anti-asthma, anti-osteoclastogenesis, neurite outgrowth, memory consolidation and anticancer activities. Further studies are needed on spicatoside A in order to understand mechanisms of action to treat various human diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.224-230
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• 2012

Schizandrin (SZ), was isolated from the fruit of Schizandra chinensis, has been reported to have many biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. However, its anti-allergic effects are not completely elucidated. We focused on the anti-allergic effects of SZ in PMA/ionomycin (PI)-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells and P815 mast cells. Cytokines (IL-4, IL-13), synthesized by basophils and mast cells, are implicated in pathological conditions such as asthma and allergy. The production of IL-4 and IL-13 was quantified by ELISA and the mRNA expression was detected by using RT-PCR assay. In this study, we found that SZ did not show cytotoxic effect at up to 100 ${\mu}M$ on RBL-2H3 cells and mast cells. In addition, SZ inhibited the production of IL-4 and IL-13 and also decreased the level of mRNA in PI-induced RBL-2H3 cells and mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, we suggest that SZ may have the effect on preventing allergic disorders by inhibiting IL-4 and IL-13 cytokines.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.155-165
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• 2021

Objectives : Recent studies have suggested that Platycodonis Radix has various pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-asthma, anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, and cardiovascular protection effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of water extract of Platycodonis Radix (WPR)-induced autophagy in H460 human lung cancer cells. Methods : H460 cells were treated with WPR and cell viability was calculated by an MTT assay. To evaluate changes in apoptosis- and autophagy-related genes, Western blotting was performed. Two kinds of autophagy inhibitors, 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) and bafilomycin A1, were pretreated to confirm the role of WPR-induced autophagy. Results : WPR reduced the viability of H460 cells in a treatment concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with induction of apoptosis. It was also confirmed that WPR induced autophagy based on the formation of specific intracellular vacuoles and changes in the expression of autophagy-related genes. Interestingly, pretreatment with 3-MA and bafilomycin A1 increased WPR-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Conclusions : WPR induced autophagy at low concentrations and early stages of treatment, but promoted apoptosis at high concentrations and late stages. Moreover, WPR-induced autophagy had a cytoprotective role in H460 cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2015

Transcription factor, Nrf2 was well known to protect cell from oxidative stress by up-regulating it's dependent anti-oxidative genes such as HO-1 and NQO1. Cheongjogupye-tang (CJGPT), a traditional herbal formula was originally recorded in 『EuiMunBeopRyul』, still having been used to treat pulmonary disease such as asthma and pulmonary inflammation, in Eastern Asian countries. However, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain elusive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative effects of CJGPT on the RAW 264.7 cells. To examine the anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative effects of CJGPT, MTT assay, immunoblotting, RT-PCR and reporter gene assays were performed. Although CJGPT slightly suppressed the nuclear NF-κB expression, it did not decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, it did not increased the transcriptional activity of NF-κB in reporter gene assay. However, CJGPT upregulated the nuclear expression of Nrf2, as well as increased the expression of Nrf2-dependent genes such as HO-1 and NQO1. In addition, CJGPT incresed the transcriptional activity of Nrf2. Taken together, our results showed that CJGPT exerts functions as an anti-oxidant mainly by activating Nrf2.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.7
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• 2020

Arusa (Adhatoda vasica) is an important medicinal plant widely used in Unani system of medicine of (Family-Acanthaceae). The leaves of Adhatoda vasica contain several biologically active phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics and flavonoids. It mainly consists of pyrroquinazoline, alkaloids, viz. vasicine, vasicol, vasicinone, peganine along with other minor constituents. The plant possesses diverse pharmacological activities, In Unani system of medicine, the drug is described as having dafa-e-tashannuj (anti-spasmodic), qatil-e-jarasim (antibiotic), mukhrij-e-balgham (expectorant), dafa-e-humma (antipyretic) properties due to which it is prescribed in a wide range of ailments like influenza, tuberculosis, bronchitis, gastric ulcers etc. Leaf juice is beneficial in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea. Various other activities like radio modulation, hypoglycaemic effect, cardiovascular protection, antitubercular, antiviral, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity have also been reported.